Dragging your feet on that passport?

Resolve to get one right away By Don & Maureen Anderson Owners of The Cruise Store Special to PRIME You may have read reports that the US government has delayed implementation requiring all sea and land passengers traveling to the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico have passports, from January 2007 to January 2008. All we here at The Cruise Store can say about this proposed delay in implementing the new passport ruling is, "Danger Will Robinson ... Danger!" Our advice: get a passport anyway! Why? There's lots of reasons. The government agencies in charge of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative may, depending on the circumstances and with just three month warning, advance or reinstate the start date for mandatory passports. No break for air travelers There is one huge exception to the extension flying. If you fly between these areas you still have to have a passport effective January 23, 2007. Just imagine the confusion that will arise due the government's latest partial "extension" of the requirements. Consider this situation: You are in the middle of a cruise and an emergency at home forces you to end the cruise and fly home from a Caribbean island passport required. You may or may not be able to somehow talk your way onto the flight, but imagine how much time and effort you will have to spend doing so. Or, you're on an Alaska cruise and assume that you don't need a passport as you are cruising. Well, if you are flying out of Vancouver, you will need the passport. Most cruise lines and tour operators are still advising passengers to obtain passports. Be safe, get that passport This is not the first time that our government has changed the rules of the game just before enforcement. You can take your chances and save the cost of the passports, but remember for the peace of mind, getting a passport is money well spent. As soon as January 1, 2008 (unless there is another change), all United States Citizens traveling by land or sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will need passports. Avoid the delays and get them now. If you have more questions about the upcoming changes in the passport laws, please feel free to contact The Cruise Store at Anderson@CruiseStore.Com or call 413-525-9001 X110. Bon Voyage!